Movie Reviews

This double feature is worth ever penny

Lunar Strain | United States | 09/19/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"For those of you that love Sci Fi/Action and haven't heard of The Hidden, then buy this now! The Hidden is a slam bam action picture with ample amounts of sci fi and violence to boot. Movies like this is what makes it fun to go to the theater.

I saw The Hidden many years ago and loved it. The unique characters, the awsome story, the stylisth directing were all great. I however kept putting off buying the original DVD release of it. This double feature proves that good things come to those that wait. So why is this double feature worth every penny other than the film being great? Well first of all, this DVD release is CHEAPER than the original Hidden DVD.

Second is that this re-release features The Hidden II on the same disc. Though it lacks in just about every aspect that made the original Hidden so good, it's still good to have on the same disc. The first Hidden movie is worth $15 bucks alone, so its like getting the sequel for free!

Third is that this release contains ALL the same special features as the original Hidden DVD release. You get commentary, a trailer, and a special effects featurette. No special features for Hidden II, but again, the sequel is like a bonus in itself.

Fourth is that the packaging is better. Now we bet the more durable keep case instead of those dreaded snap cases. Also, both films are featured on the one side of the DVD! No flipping the disc over and less chances smudging or scratching the disc!

This is a TERRIFIC DVD to buy for any action or sci fi fan! Hell, if you own a DVD player you must own this DVD! I can't recommend this DVD double feature more!"

Body-snatching at its best

Flipper Campbell | Miami Florida | 11/29/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"New Line added the dreary sequel and lowered the price by five bucks, but this is essentially the same "Hidden" DVD that came out in 2000. Still, horror/sci-fi fans shouldn't miss an opportunity to revisit Jack Sholder's fast, funny and furious tale of an alien lawman in pursuit of a body-snatching serial killer.

Angelenos will love the street-level looks at punk-era L.A. as the action careens around Silver Lake, Melrose and Hollywood. Sholder's commentary, which dates back to the laserdisc, seems aimed at young filmmakers.

He recalls how Kyle MacLachlan looked too puny to play the lawman but turned into an action hero when viewed through a lens: "That's why (some) people are movie stars." The 1.85:1 images from the 1987 film look outstanding, as they did on the old DVD."

3 stars for the first movie only

Thomas | Georgia | 10/18/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"The Hidden is a decent B-flick that is worth renting. It is somewhat of a rip from the body snatchers but it has it's own story. The acting and plot for the most part is not oscar winning but then most B-movies aren't to be taken seriously and this one shouldn't be taken seriously either. Regardless, it is entertaining. The odd behavior of Kyle MacLachlan's character keeps you guessing what will happen next. Now after seeing this movie I expected that there would be a sequel and of course there is. The Hidden II takes place 15 years after the first one but the movie overall is just not good. If you see the Hidden and enjoy it, chances are you will want to see the sequel but trust me, you won't like it as much. As most direct to video films go, the Hidden II suffers from a weak script and is too short. As for the DVD, the Hidden has a few features which are good but the Hidden II has no features to speak of which is typical for lame sequels."

Hilarious, Violent, Great Trash--One of them, anyway

Victor Schwartzman | Winnipeg, Canada | 01/09/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The original "The Hidden" is a wonderful combination of Sam Peckinpah shoot 'em up, science fiction horror, and weird humour. It is unique, and worth a watch for any fan of sf and/or horror films.

The film begins with a man casually robbing a bank, shooting whoever gets in his way. It's giving away nothing to say that in the first five minutes of the movie, the police stop him by shooting him about forty gazillion times. But...that is just the start of the film.

Pretty soon the older man in the hospital bed next to our dieing bank robber suddenly gets up and takes off, with a newfound taste in fast cars, loud music, and blowing away anyone who stands between him and a good time. Then Kyle McLaughlin shows up (he of Twin Peaks fame) as an FBI agent on the trail of the killer(s). But there is something "not quite right" about ol' Kyle, as the police detective investigating the increasing number of murders soon discovers.

Why ruin the plot with spoilers? Let's just say that this film expertly mixes several genres by throwing them into a blender & standing back. It's a wild, wooly ride that rarely takes a moment to breathe. If you've never heard of it, and thought Alien Nation (was that the name of the film with Mandy Patinkin?) was any good, just plain buy this one.

Oh yeah, there is a remarkably babe who wields a mean machine gun.

And as for "The Hidden Two"...uh...forget it. It has zippo to do with the first. None of the original's charactrs (not many survived the first film anyway), none of its wit.

But since the original is hard to find, pick up a copy when you can."

80's sci-fi near classic and it's lame sequel

N. Durham | Philadelphia, PA | 10/01/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The Hidden was one of those extra rare sci-fi/horror gems that came out of the 80's that still manages to hold up today for the most part. Robert Shaye, mainly known as the producer of the Nightmare on Elm Street films, produced it, and it stars Michael Nouri as a big city cop teamed up with an otherworldly detective (Kyle MacLachlan) to track down an alien slug-like creature that can jump from one person to another and use their body as a host. It's not the sci-fi masterpiece that some crack it up to be, and it's a bit dated, but it's still great to watch. It's direct to video sequel, which is included on this double feature DVD, is what you would expect from a 90's direct to video B-movie with some somewhat decent effects, and Leatherface: Texas Chainsaw Massacre 3's Kate Hodge as Nouri's character's daughter who finds herself allied with another otherworldly lifeform against another bloodthirsty alien. The good news is that New Line Cinema included the DVD features of the original Hidden release (commentary by director Jack Sholder, production footage, a trailer, and some more), and the lesser sequel here is really nothing more than an added bonus."